Fairfax Forward - Present Public Participation Opportunities

The draft
evaluation criteria for the review of Fairfax Forward measuring
the efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility, and impact of the new
Plan review process and the Pilot Work Program are now available.

The evaluation focuses on progress made on the schedule, approach
to planning studies, and public participation. The criteria also
establish a benchmark for future evaluations. The review of Fairfax
Forward is proposed to formally begin in July 2015, two years after
its adoption.

The formal public comment period on the draft
evaluation criteria took place from October 7, 2013 through
November 25, 2013. If you would still like to comment or have
questions, please
email us. You can also mail a letter to the Department of
Planning and Zoning, Attn: Fairfax Forward Evaluation, 12055
Government Center Parkway, Suite 730, Fairfax, VA 22035.

Community input and stakeholder feedback remains invaluable
for the new planning process, as proposed in Fairfax
Forward, to succeed. Expanding community input in
planning studies is one of the main goals of Fairfax Forward.
A public
participation toolkit has been drafted to offer a variety
of ways community outreach, participation, and education may occur
during planning studies. During land use studies, it is
envisioned that the community will be involved in:

setting the parameters of the study through a visioning process,

the review and evaluation through a task force or other advisory
body, and

the public hearings with opportunities to speak to the Planning
Commission and the Board of Supervisors about the study.

On May 6, 2013 a focus group, representing community
groups from various parts of the county, gathered at the
Government Center to discuss public participation in planning.
The group discussed the
notification process for planning studies and
measurements that could be used during the evaluation of
Fairfax Forward. Review suggestions about
improving the notification process or
submit your own comments.

Many suggestions were offered at the meeting as represented in
this word cloud. These ideas can be explored as outreach
strategies for planning studies are developed, .

attending or speaking at the upcoming Board of Supervisors public
hearing: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. If you
wish to speak at the board's public hearing, call the Clerk
to the Board at 703-324-3151, TTY 771, or fill out the online speakers sign-up
form. The public hearings will take place in the
Board Auditorium, Ground Level, Government Center Building, 12000
Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia. Questions may
be directed to the Department of Planning and Zoning, Planning
Division at (703) 324-1380. The public hearings will take
place in the Board Auditorium, Ground Level, Government
Center Building, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax,
Virginia. Sign up to speak by calling the Clerk to the Board
of Supervisors - (703) 324-3151.

submitting comments or questions to the
email address or call the Department of Planning and Zoning,
Planning Division at (703) 324-1380.